Whitecaps vs. Timbers 1st Leg Preview

This is what a whole season filled with Home Ties and Road Wins has boiled down to.

Portland have to be coming into this game a little disappointed in the fact that they weren't able to get the result they were looking for against the Whitecaps last week. It's not hard to fathom that the Timber's team chemistry is a little stronger then that of the 'Caps but last week we saw a great team performance from the boys in blue and white.

It's been just over 6 weeks since the additions of guys like Cody Arnoux, Terry Dunfield, Ridge Mobulu, Davide Chiumiento, and it seems like they are finally starting to gel. While Portland may be in playoff form, I might go out on a limb and say a lot of our guys are peaking into their mid season for which could be good or bad, we'll find out soon enough.

Fatigue is a definite factor at this stage in the season, we saw what a role it played in Portland's preparations for last weeks game as the Timbers rested Ryan Pore and Brite Dike the week previous as the strain of a long season was probably catching up with them. Look for those two to feature prominently in the Timbers deadly counter attack. They have been 'Caps killers all year long. Starting with Pore's two brilliant goals in the first match at PGE then Dike's goal last week at Swangard. Oh and his literal attempt to kill Takashi Hirano in the mid season tilt at Swangard. Fatigue is also an issue for Vancouver as guys like Chiumiento might not be quite match fit and may not get in a full game.

With the higher seeding in the playoffs Portland decided to play their first leg on the road which gives them the chance to move on with a victory at home or even a tie if they manage to get a win today at Swangard.

Both teams are going to want to win this game badly. Speculation over what type of game will be seen has been across the board. Last week we saw Teitur deviate from his normal 4-4-2 to playing with Chiumiento sitting in behind the striker in a possession/play making role providing service to Mobulu or Arnoux up front. I would expect more of the same.

With both teams having had a good look at each other I wouldn't be suprised to see coverage a little tighter on Chiumiento. A change in coverages would definitely benefit a guy like Terry Dunfield who has rarely made a mistake on the ball and been highly effective since joining the club. I would look to Terry to make a big impact in todays game. Hopefully he has a better goal celebration lined up then his last.

I would hate to wager on the match I would love to see an attacking 'Caps team win 3-1 but I think its far more likely that we see a closer game then that. We've seen a lot of tight games result in draws this year at Swangard but the emergence of some of our recent signings gives me hope that we can pull one out today.